The Information Society and the Welfare State

The Finnish Model

Manuel Castells and Pekka Himanen

Finland has moves into the limelight of the information and communication technology world (ICT) with outstandinglu successful companies, the highest diffusion of ICT, and remarkable rates of innvation. Yet its social and cultural values and institutional arrangements are in marked contrast to Silicon Valley, another and better known model of an innovative region. In this book, the authors explain the features and context of the Finnish Information Society.

The Information Society and the Welfare State

The Finnish Model

Manuel Castells and Pekka Himanen

Description

This book takes an international approach by discussing the information society and overall business environment of Finland. Known throughout the world for its successful companies and its exceptional rates of innovation, this volume discusses the country's total transformation in technology, corporate business and education. It creates a complete model of comparison to other economies. Finally, it discusses Finland's future challenges as well as what can be learned to enhance an existing society.

The Information Society and the Welfare State

The Finnish Model

Manuel Castells and Pekka Himanen

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Finnish Information Society in Global Context1. The Mobile Valley: Nokia, Finland, and the Transformation of the Finnish Economy2. Innovative about Innovating: The Unlikely Innovation System -- The State, Corporate Business, Universities, and Hackers3. The Welfare of the Nation: The Information Society and the Welfare State4. The Local Information Society: Spatial Dynamics, Information Technology, and Public Policy5. The Power of Identity: Identity Driving the Information Society and the Information Society Building Identity6. The Finnish Model of the Information Society7. Conclusion I: The Challenges for Finland8. Conclusion II: Learning from Finland

The Information Society and the Welfare State

The Finnish Model

Manuel Castells and Pekka Himanen

Reviews and Awards

"The Finnish model's most radical feature is its attempt to combine technological and economic success with social justice and equality. There are significant implications for the other societies, but apparantely no one single model for the Information Age."--Business Horizons